Abstract: A method for operating a computer system includes the identification of at least one of a plurality of consoles to the operating system so as to be able to dynamically specify console attributes. Furthermore, a unique command and response token value is provided for associating commands and subsequently generated responses or messages so that they may be directed to an appropriately select set of consoles as determined by the token value and the console attributes. These facilities provide a programmable and flexible interface to a computer and its operating system environment so as to facilitate the utilization of console devices for controlling the computer complex from one or more remote locations in a consistent, protected, efficient but yet flexible manner.